1. The GEO-Wetlands Initiative
Adrian Strauch, Lammert Hilarides, Marc Paganini
Side Event: GEOGLOWS and the Harmonization of GEO Water Activities

2. Mission / Objectives and Goals
GEO-Wetlands
Mission / Objectives and Goals
Mission
Develop sustained global approaches to wetland inventory, mapping, monitoring & assessment
Objectives
Develop a Global Wetland Observation System (Data & Products)
Establish a community and governance structure (Users & Management)
Build on existing efforts and partnerships (Cooperation & Stakeholders)
Goal
Build a GEO-Wetlands Community Portal
Respond to evolving user and policy needs
Strategy and funding for long-term service-provision

3. GEO-Wetlands Geographical Scope Methodology
Satellite-based mapping and monitoring of wetlands
According to requirements of users and global stakeholders
Current geographical scope of GEO-Wetlands. Started to involve missing regions.
Goal is global coverage and cooperation!
Project Governance Structure
Advisory Board  Top-down advice
(virtual) Secretariat  Management
Community of Practice  Bottom-up

4. Significant achievements in 2016-2017
GEO-Wetlands
Significant achievements in
Achievement 1
Pilot of GEO-Wetlands Community Portal developed by SWOS project
Achievement 2
Mapping Toolboxes developed by SWOS and GlobWetland-Africa
Achievement 3
User-engagement, stakeholder involvement & community of practice

5. Plans and Deliverables for 2018-2019
GEO-Wetlands
Plans and Deliverables for
Deliverables
Operational and improved Community Portal based on SWOS pilot
Global products on Mangroves and other wetland types
Best-practice guidelines on EO of wetlands (Ramsar, SDGs)
General Plans
Establish website as community- and information hub
Resource mobilization for continuous activities and maintenance
Close collaboration with stakeholders (Ramsar, UN Env.)

6. Plans for cross SBA linkages and SDG support
GEO-Wetlands
Plans for cross SBA linkages and SDG support
Links to other SBAs or initiatives
GEOGLOWS and other water activities
GEO BON  FW BON & M BON
Energy, Food, Infrastructure, Health, Disasters
Contributions to SDGs
Especially Indicator 6.6.1
Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time
 Provide methodologies, tools, capacity-building and coordination
Challenges and Issues:
Efficient communication and cooperation between GEO initiatives
Securing long-term funding for continued activities and services
GEOGLOWS and the Harmonization of
GEO Water Activities

7. Thank You Adrian Strauch adrian.strauch@uni-bonn.de
See GEO-Wetlands Poster at Panel 10 of European Commission stand